The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy

T LEVEL SPOTLIGHT | Inspiring the next generation of technicians "One of my best decisions in life" - that's how one #TLevel student describes their industry placement experience at the University of Liverpool. The 45-day T Level Industry Placements benefit students, employers, line managers and mentors. That's why a growing number of universities are hosting industry placements within their technical teams. 📽 See the benefits for yourself - watch case studies from the University of Liverpool, WMG, University of Warwick and Cranfield University https://lnkd.in/eVyzWz-q It's easier than you think to host #TLevel industry placements in universities 🔗Download our free University #TLevel Industry Placement Toolkit https://lnkd.in/eVyzWz-q #TLevelToolkit #SkillsforLife #TLevels Jo Hartley-Metcalfe, BSc, PGCE, MISTR | Matthew Davis | Gatsby Charitable Foundation | N8 Research Partnership | Midlands Innovation | Department for Education | Technician Commitment

Time-poor Technical Managers in universities are taking on more responsibilities and feel they have less time to support their technical teams. Sound familiar? Could you benefit from expert ideas and practical solutions to help navigate and implement positive changes in your technical workplace? ITSS Consulting is our not-for-profit professional development arm. We work with Technical Managers, HR professionals, Head of Departments to develop, grow and empower skilled technical teams. Register for the webinar to meet the team and have your questions answered https://lnkd.in/e6gEpP-g

CASE STUDY | Herschel participant secures new research role Dr Monika Chhetry PhD takes her technical career forward with the help of the Research England Herschel Programme for Women in Technical Leadership. She took part in the Herschel Programme in 2023 whilst at the John Innes Centre. After Herschel, Monika went on to complete her PRINCE 2 certification in project management and began to recognise how much she had to offer beyond her former role. Monika was empowered to apply for a new role outside her institution but still closely linked to her research background at Anglia Innovation Partnership LLP. She said: “That wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t taken a risk, and I wouldn’t have taken that risk if I hadn’t done the Herschel Programme.” 💬 Read her story here https://lnkd.in/emWc37vu ➡️ There's two week's left to apply for the 2025 programme. Deadline is 4 November 2024 https://lnkd.in/e3NZcbSA #HerschelProgramme #TechsWhoLead #TechnicalLeadership #LeadershipProgrammes

FUNDING AVAILABLE | UK-wide Equipment Sharing Fund opens Are you a researcher, PhD student, or research technical professional (RTP) who wants to access state-of-the-art research equipment unavailable at your home institution?   The new ITSS Technology Capabilities Showcase features 80 technician-led research facilities https://lnkd.in/epB9mCkJ Such as: 🔹 ‘FingerPrints’ Proteomics Facility at the University of Dundee 🔹 UKCRIC National Research Facility for Infrastructure Sensing at the University of Cambridge 🔹 Infectious Diseases Facility at Newcastle University 🔹 Natural History Museum's Sequencing Facility... and more! The research community can now apply for funds to access facilities featured in the showcase and its technical expertise. 🔗 Equipment Sharing Fund, eligibility criteria, FAQs and application form https://lnkd.in/efdXY42j Could your technician-led facility feature in the showcase? Complete the form on this webpage https://lnkd.in/epB9mCkJ Midlands Innovation, GW4 Alliance, N8 Research Partnership, Eastern Arc, Wales Innovation Network, Midlands Enterprise Universities, Midlands Engine, Science and Engineering South, Science Council, Institute of Physics, Universities UK, Technician Commitment, Ian Hancox

NEWS | Kelly Vere MBE joins REF 2029 panel Kelly has been appointed as a Deputy Chair of The Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2029 People and Diversity Advisory Panel (PDAP). "I'm excited to work with this wonderful group, and happy that, as a member of the technical community, I am able to contribute to the development of REF 2029," she says. Rebecca Fairbairn, REF Director, said: “Each REF exercise is an evolution from the last, and REF advisory panels play an important part in that. Our new advisory panels will embed knowledge and expertise on the diversity of people, approaches to, and forms of research that are essential to the vitality of the UK’s research base." 📰 https://lnkd.in/eBGhqtSN #REF #REF2029 #People #Diversity #TechnicalCommunity #Technicians #Research #Innovation

ITSS Consulting is a new not-for-profit professional development partner for the technical community in higher education and research. It specialises in solutions to future-proof technical skills, roles and careers. Learn more ⤵

"Is the Herschel Programme for Women in Technical Leadership for me?" You will learn new skills relevant to your technical role, build confidence and join a vibrant and supportive national network of #HerschelLeaders. And, despite the name, you don't need to be in a technical leadership role now to apply: ✨ 77% of participants were aspiring leaders ✨ 34% have already secured a new role or promotion since completing the programme (2024 post-programme survey respondents) Many of the 2024 Herschel participants were encouraged to join by their line managers. If you work with an aspiring technical leader - why not encourage them to apply? Applications for the 'life-changing' Research England funded Herschel Programme close in a month's time. ❗ Free, funded by Research England 💻Delivered online Jan - June 2025 (In-person celebration event) 📅 Deadline Monday 4 November ➡ Apply today https://lnkd.in/e3NZcbSA #HerschelLeaders #TechnicalLeadership #TechnicianCommitment #TechsWhoLead

📚 Recommended reading from Universities UK: Opportunity, growth and partnership. A blueprint for change We're particularly pleased to see technicians mentioned in recommendations for a Missions Innovation Fund https://lnkd.in/eG8jE_ds "Mission funds should have dedicated PhD/scholarship and technical support and strong coordination with key growth industries. The funding model needs to embed career development and pathways for researchers and technicians, supporting knowledge exchange with industry." Thanks to funding from Research England, we're spearheading positive change for technical career pathways with 22 organisations https://lnkd.in/e3YGUvKz and offering career development for the technical community.

OPPORTUNITY | Showcase your research equipment & technical expertise UK technical professionals can now promote research facilities and their technical expertise through the new ITSS Technology Capabilities Showcase. 55 listings currently feature in the national showcase, from specialist glasshouses at University of Birmingham, state-of-the-art flow cytometry equipment from University of Nottingham Research and molecular collections at the Natural History Museum, to name a few. View the showcase and submit your facility to maximise the potential of cutting-edge research equipment https://lnkd.in/epB9mCkJ Learn more about the initiative https://lnkd.in/eSrJ5tMM Coming soon - Equipment Sharing Fund for researchers, RTPs and PhD students to access state-of-the-art research equipment featured in the showcase, and its technical expertise https://lnkd.in/efdXY42j 📸 University of Chester #EquipmentSharing #Research #Innovation #RTPs #TechnicalProfessionals #Technicians

Our Policy and Engagement Manager Farheen Akhtar met Chi Onwurah MP, Chair of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology select committee this week during the #LabourConf24.   "It was positive to hear about the Labour Party's mission to drive growth through skills and regional innovation and meet Chi Onwurah MP. "We had some insightful conversations around policy collaboration with the The Royal Society and managed to meet more stakeholders face-to-face," she said. We welcome the Labour Party's approach and look forward to engaging stakeholders, offering our convening power to include the technical community in future skills policy.   In case you missed it, read more in Farheen's recent blog on the Government's approach to skills and workforce: https://lnkd.in/euXHyuj8